I boiled the kettle for tea and rummaged through the cupboards. Thankfully there was a little burlap bag full of oatmeal. And with some brown sugar to help the taste. It would make a fine breakfast. I set the table and found a notepad. The cupboards were quite bare. I would need to make a trip to town. Luckily our Auntie had been kind enough to give us a little money. But it wouldn't last long. So I'd need to get a job. And then there were my brothers to think of. They'd have to be enrolled in school.

I ran my hand over my face. I needed some air.

I walked out the door and into the warm sunlight. Birds twittered in the early morning light and a light fog swirled at the hem of my nightgown. Well I say my nightgown. But it was grans, considering that our things had not yet arrived. The van would likely be here at some point this week.

I sighed, the wind playing with the loose strands of my hair.

It was then I heard it. A twinkling. Like a group of tiny tinkling bells.

A bright light shone from deep in the forest. It zipped around. Circling tree trunks and dodging branches. Until suddenly it stopped. Right in front of my face.

My eyes widened as they focused on the creature's tiny angry face.

I gasped.

The creature tinkled angrily, tipping her head to the side, her gossamer wings fluttering.

I backed up towards the door, tripping slightly on the moss covered steps.

"F-f-f-f-" I shuddered, opening the door and closing it quickly behind me.

"Fairy....." I slid down the door.

Finally, after catching my breath, I rushed to the window and looked out at the garden... All seemed well. My heart slowed, and stopped pounding.

"You're seeing things again Wendy..." I chided myself.

I made my way over to the phone on the wall. And dialed.

"Hello?"

"Hello this is Wendy Darling." I replied.

"Oh hello Wendy! Are you alright?" The doctor's familiar voice asked.

"Well not really...I'm seeing things..." I admitted.

"What kind of things?" He asked.

"Impossible things." I breathed.

There was a pause.

"This must be some sort of remaining psychological trauma from the crash... Where are you now?"

"Pan's Hollow."

"Listen Wendy... I have a colleague in Pan's hollow. You should go talk to him today. He might be able to help."

"Really? That sounds perfect! Thank you I will." I smiled with relief.

I heard soft footsteps as Michael padded into the kitchen.

"Where's my breakfast?" He uttered sleepily.

I smiled.

"On the table dear." I replied covering the phone with my hand.

"I'm sorry Doctor I have to go. But I'll definitely go to the clinic in town today. Thanks again! Bye."

Michael climbed up into his chair. And I soon bought his bowl over to him.

"Oatmeal?" He asked, scrunching up his nose.

"Yeah, but it's all we got. I added brown sugar!" I replied, fondly ruffling his blond hair.

"Well... okay." He dipped his spoon into the bowl suspiciously.

I heard a door creek open, and looked down the hall to see John exit the nursery. He was dressed and ready for the day.

"Good morning John."

"Is it?" He replied shortly.

Michael looked up from his food worriedly.

"I made breakfast." I attempted.

John sat down in a chair hard as I brought the bowl over to him.

He seemed to be in a foul mood, so I decided to let things slide.

I took a seat at the head of the table. "I have to go out today, to get groceries. And run some other errands."

"What other errands?" Michael wanted to know.

"I need to see about getting a job, and getting you two enrolled in school." I said around a mouthful of oatmeal.

"I don't want to go back to school." John snapped.

I blinked.

"I understand but-"

"I don't think you do! I don't have any friends here!" John shouted.

I put my spoon down in the bowl. "I know you John...You'll make plenty of friends." I spoke soothingly.

"I want to go home!" He shouted.

"Well we can't!" I snapped.

"Why?!" John retorted.

"We lost the house." I sighed.

Michael blinked "We lost our house?! How can we loose something that big?"

"She means it's not ours anymore." John snapped.

Michael's eyes widened.

"Johnathan." I reprimanded quietly.

This only enraged him. "You can't call me that! You're not mom!!"

My throat tightened.

"No. I'm not." My voice came out all strangled, as heat filled my chest.

"But our mother and father are no longer here! You're going to school. So grow up John!"

I stood and walked to the door.

"Now, I've put a casserole in the oven. Please take it out at 4:00 o'clock. Michael, be good for your brother."

I snatched a coat and left the house.

I pulled the ill fitting brown jacket over my shoulders. I was wearing my grandmothers clothing. After all my clothing had been torn to shreds and covered with... well blood.

The thought made my stomach turn to lead.

It was a short walk to the town center. We were tucked behind some oak trees, but not far into the forest.

I pulled the cardigan closer around my shoulders, as I trudged into the general store.

I grabbed a basket and sighed. I couldn't get too much, as I had no car. Oh well at least it was only a fifteen minute walk.

I loaded up my basket and rounded the corner to purchase my items.

"My word. Wendy Darling?"A masculine voiced asked me, as I fished for my money.

I looked up in shock, "Finn Redmond?"

"I heard you were coming back to your grandmothers but. Wow. It's been what, 12 years?" Finn smiled his trademark grin.

My eyes raked over his tall figure, as his brown eyes crinkled at the edges.

"Er..Yeah, that sounds about right."I smiled, as he ran a hand through his dark brown hair.

The mood in the room changed as his face fell.

"I heard about your parents. Wendy I'm so sorry."

I gave him a watery smile, setting down my basket on the counter.

"Oh darling." His warm eyes filled with concern.

The floodgates opened, and tears raced down my cheeks.

Finn rounded the counter in two long legged steps and wrapped me in his arms.

And I let him hold me as I sobbed.

"I'm so, so sorry Wendy." He spoke soothingly as he stroked my hair.

After a few moments I was finally able to pull myself together.

"I can't imagine what you must be going through right now." He frowned as I looked up at him.

"It wouldn't be so bad if my parents hadn't left us in so much debt." I blurted.

His eyebrows furrowed.

"Oh don't worry. We'll do alright. we're debt free now. We had the house to pay against it." I stammered.

"You lost your house in London!?" he exclaimed.

"Yes, but at least Gran left us her house here. Now all I need is a job and we'll be fine."

"Well I can't say I'm sorry about the debt you had. It brought you back to town, and for that I'm very glad."

I blushed at the heated look he gave me.

He smiled and continued- "Now as for a job. I believe the Diner is looking for another waitress. They just had one of their regulars quit."

He pulled himself away from me and rounded the counter, scanning items while he talked. I caught myself missing his warmth.

"You should head over there right now. Before the position is filled." He fixed me with a steady stare.

"What about my groceries?" I replied.

"I can hang on to them, and drop them off at your house when my shift's over."

"You'd do that for me?"

"Of course, I'd do anything for my princess." He smiled.

My cheeks coloured, as I remembered the summer days long ago, when we'd play together. He was always the prince. That much hadn't changed. He'd just gotten taller... and handsomer.

"Well, thank you my prince." I replied with a wry smile, and a courtly bow.

He chuckled, breaking into a dimpled grin. "I'll see you tonight Wendy."

"See you." I smiled, heading out the door and down the street to the diner.

I approached the diner, and the bell over the door rang cheerily as I entered.

"I'll be with you in a moment!" A white haired woman exclaimed bustling round the kitchen.

The diner was almost completely empty. The only other patron a red haired boy wearing a beanie, he sat in a corner booth by himself. As I looked over at him his unnaturally bright green eyes met with mine. And a cocky grin quirked the corner of his mouth.

My heart beat double time, heat creeping into my face.

I turned away from him, as the sweet faced old lady entered the dining area.

"Sorry about that dear, I've been a bit busy with some catering. How may I help you?" She smiled pleasantly.

"I'm actually here for the waitress job. Finn Redmond told me you could use the help." I smiled brightly.

"Ah that Finn, the boy's a godsend. And so are you! I actually have to run out and do a delivery. I'll be back in a jiffy but the store needs minding. If you could watch it for a moment. I'll be right back. Oh! And there's a uniform for you here."

The lady rambled on and dragged me into the kitchen, grabbing the uniform and leading me to a bathroom to change.

As I tugged on the lemon yellow fifties dress, and white apron, the lady continued to speak.

"One more thing dear. That boy out in the dining room, ignore him."

I paused midst tying on the apron.

"Why?"

Her voice lowered, "We've lost too many good girls to Peter Pan."

I opened the door.

"What makes you think I'm good?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"I have a nose for these things." she replied giving me a once over.

"Tie your hair up and the job's yours."

She handed me a hair tie and I wrapped my hair into a loose bun.

"Thank you so much ma'am. Oh! Would you mind if I call my brothers?"

"Sure. Good bye dear!" She replied breezing out the door.

I walked back out into the kitchen area and glanced out the window.

Peter looked up at me.

"Hello~" He smiled, revealing a breathtakingly white smile.

I nodded at him, and walked over to the kitchen sink. It was over flowing with dishes. I started to wash them when a voice interrupted me.

"Service here is terrible."

I spun round.

Peter leaned against the doorway, an empty coffee cup hanging precariously from his finger.

I blinked at him, turning back to the dishes. "You're not supposed to be in here."

"Says who?" He replied impishly.

I gestured to the sign on the open door behind him, that read 'Employees only.'

"Ah, right. Well, might I get a refill for my coffee?" He smiled charmingly.

I sighed and toweled off my hands. The lady had told me to ignore him. But I didn't want to be rude.

"Alright, just clear out of here." I huffed.

"Yes Ma'am." he replied mockingly as he took a seat at the counter in the dining room.

I walked over to the coffee machine and pulled out the carafe. Turning round to fill his mug.

"So... Wendy."

I stopped, accidentally knocking over the salt shaker.

"Damn it Wendy, watch what you're doing!" He exclaimed.

"I-I'm sorry." I set down the coffee and desperately wiped the salt away from his arm. I paused halfway to the garbage can with my handful of salt. "Sorry, how do you know my name?"

He smiled unconvincingly, "News travels fast in these little towns."

"Ah." I replied dumping the salt and, filling his mug.

"Thank you." He smiled.

Warmth spread through my chest. "You're welcome." I blushed.

"I'm welcome?~" He smirked.

I smiled awkwardly at him.

He pondered something for a moment, before fixing me with his green eyed stare. "Wendy. I have something to show you."

My eyebrows shot up. "I beg your pardon?"

"Come with me." It was a command and not a question.

I was desperately wishing I had listened to the woman from earlier, and stayed away from this boy. "...Peter. I'm working."

He frowned, like somebody who was quite used to getting his way.

"You will come with me later though?" He asked, spearing me with those sharp green eyes.

I backed up a bit, glancing towards the kitchen. "I make no promises. After all we have just met."

"No!" He cried indignantly, slamming his hands on the counter. "We've met before. You DO remember don't you?~"

"What?!" I squeaked.

"You were only eight."

I shook my head. "That was a long time ago! Surely you can't expect me to remember!"

In one smooth movement he hopped over the counter, and was looking deep into my eyes.

"Peter!" I exclaimed, backing up till I hit the counter behind me.

"That witch! She must have wiped your memory." Peter seethed.

He grabbed my head. "Stay still and I'll restore it."

The birthmark below my collarbone burned.

"Let go of me!" I exclaimed, trying to push him away.

The bell rang over the door, and Peter turned to see who it was.

I took advantage of the distraction, and stomp on his foot, rushing into the dining area.

"Wendy what's going on?" Finn asked as I ran into his arms.

"Finnegan." Peter spat.

"Pan." Finn replied coolly.

"Is he bothering you Wendy?" Finn asked, glaring at Peter.

I nodded.

Peter scoffed, "Oh come now. What did I do?"

"Let's go Wendy." Finn looked down at me.

"But what about my job?" I gasped.

"I'll explain things to Esther."

He led me to the door.

"Wendy!" Peter called out after me. "What did I do wrong?"

"You're dreadfully ignorant!" I exclaimed venomously, as the door shut behind us.